Two small companies aimed to spread the gospel of open-source technologies
Monday as Pogo Linux said it agreed to build an appliance powered by MySQL
AB's open-source database.

Pogo Linux, a Redmond, Wash.-based maker of hardware for the open-source
operating system Linux, will make the DataWare 2600 Server, which will be
loaded with MySQL's popular database.

The companies hope the product will attract interest from IT managers and
developers seeking an open-source option for Web-hosting and running
operations at financial institutions -- both functions that require strong
throughput and speedy performance.

The companies also hope the machine's price will give it an edge over
companies such as Oracle and Network Appliance , who make proprietary server appliances. Because it supports
Linux, the product may also serve as an alternative to Microsoft-powered
machines.

Open-source technologies, such as Linux and MySQL's database, have the
potential of gaining more traction at a time when cutting down IT expenses
and boosting return-on-investment becomes more critical for IT managers.

With $19.5 million in second-rounding funding in the bank, MySQL has been
grabbing attention. Boasting some 4 million total installations, the company
recently agreed to
take the reins of fellow open-source database SAP DB, which will ultimately
improve the feature functionality of the MySQL database.

Pogo Linux and Sweden's MySQL plan to preview the system July 9 and July 10
at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention (OSCON) in Portland, Oregon.
Fittingly, the DataWare 2600 appliance will be officially launched at the
LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, in San Francisco, Calif. on August 4-7. The
companies have not released pricing details to the public.

Another aspect that may make the DataWare 2600 attractive to companies
seeking a simple, easy-to-install product, is that the DataWare 2600 comes
pre-configured, making it a true out-of-the-box product.

"The Pogo Linux-MySQL database appliance will be a premium preconfigured
server where every piece of hardware and software is tested and optimized
for raw speed. It will raise the bar for value, ease of use and
performance," said David Axmark, MySQL AB co-founder.

Pogo Linux will become a MySQL Certified Hardware Partner and both firms
will work together to make sure the product's hardware and software features
are fully supported.